SAN ANTONIO — A documentary taking SeaWorld and other theme parks to task for using animals as entertainment, “Blackfish” was released July 19 in a few markets and opened in San Antonio Aug. 9 at a single theater — the Santikos Bijou.

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, her feature-film debut, and produced by CNN and Magnolia Pictures, it was not a box-office hit (not unusual for a documentary). It earned $2.1 million in its entire run.

However, it was a hit with movie critics, scoring a 98 on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes.com. The score is a percentage of favorable reviews.

Wildlife expert Jack Hanna and SeaWorld officials have criticized the film as slanted and misleading, but it has supporters. Former trainer John Hargrove, who worked at the San Antonio park from 1993-95 and 2008-12 and appeared in the film, criticized an artificial insemination program, saying. “I didn't want the whales to be treated like baby machines.”

David Kirby, who wrote “Death at Sea World” and whose research was used in the movie, said, “I believe these allegations against the film are unfounded.”

Two other former trainers involved in the film said it is deceiving. In an interview with Express-News staff writer Kolten Parker, Mark Simmons, a SeaWorld Orlando trainer from 1987-96 who appears in the film, said it pushes a narrow viewpoint and sensationalizes events.

Former trainer Kay Pirtle, who also was involved in its production, said, “It's not a fact-based movie” and accused the film of trying to “shut down SeaWorld.” But she added that she disagrees with the company that whales should be in captivity for entertainment purposes.

“Yes, I'm still against animals as a form of entertainment; yes, I feel the breeding program should be shut down.”